Testimonies for the Church Volume 1 - A New You Ministry

of true religion, and there was a tendency to bring all down upon a low level. Manyregarded this as humility; but when opposed in their peculiar views, they would becomeexcited in a moment, manifest an overbearing spirit, and accuse those who did not agreewith them of being proud and of resisting the truth and the power of God.Holy angels have been displeased and disgusted with the irreverent manner inwhich many have used the name of God, the great Jehovah. Angels mention thatsacred name with the greatest awe, ever veiling their faces when they speak the nameof God; and the name of Christ is so sacred to them that they speak it with thegreatest reverence. But how opposite the spirit and influence attending the 1854 timemovement. Some who are still under the same influence speak of God as they wouldof a horse or of any other commonplace thing. In their prayers they use the words GodAlmighty in a very common and irreverent manner. Those who do this have no senseof the exalted character of God, of Christ, or of heavenly things.I was shown that when God sent His angels anciently to minister or communicate toindividuals, and these persons learned that they had seen and talked with an angel, theywere struck with awe and were afraid that they should die. They had so exalted viewsof the terrible majesty and power of God that they thought it would destroy them to bebrought into close connection with one direct from His holy presence. I was referred toJudges 13:21, 22: “Then Manoah knew that he was an angel of the Lord. And Manoahsaid unto his wife, We shall surely die, because we have seen God.” Judges 6:22, 23:“And when Gideon perceived that he was an angel of the Lord, Gideon said, Alas, OLord God! for because I have seen an angel of the Lord face to face. And the Lordsaid unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.” Joshua 5:13-15: “Andit came to pass, when Joshua was410